Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1887-11-16

20. you've got to win!" repeated
Charlie, decisively; "but that fellow,
Goodyear. Is a good oarsman."
That's SO; and here l am out OF
training-all the fault of those con-
founded headaches. Come on; let's go
down to the pier and get boat OF
Babcock. and have row now.'
The day of the race arrived. AT
three o'clock the little pier, in gay
flutter of flags, was filled with lockers
on; groups sat in the gardens of the
cottages, and stood along the edge Of
the grove, while boats, under bright
awnings, lay quietly on the water at
seeing distance. The lake was q mile
in width; and the course was directly
across to the pier. from point OPP
posite, marked by curious tree--a
tree which stood out against the sky a
dark, slender, symmetrical cross. Near
by, its branches covered with foliage
scarcely suggested the form which
made its renown.
Goodyear. the champion of the Mil
itary Academy Club, was large and
heavy; his muscles CARRIED more fat than
would have suited a trainer" but he
pulled steady, powerful oar. Gordon,
taller and more slender. but strong and
well-knit gave a quicker stroke and a
sharper pull. But, of course, their
rowing was far from 'scientific;" and
the light boats they pushed out in, and
the braided suits they wore, would have
been thought extremely funny by an
Oxford or Harvard man. The race
was very much like other races, and
was closely contested. When one boat
shot little ahead OF the other, the
boys and girls got excited, and cheered
and waved their handkerchiefs. Good
year, contrary to his habit, did his best
work at the beginning, while Gordon,
contrary also to his, reserved his
strength. and on the last half rowed, as
the boys said, "like all possessed"
bringing his boat in two lengths ahead.
He was received with great acclama-
ton. Charlie jumped to the bow of
the boat from which he had been
watching the race alone, to wave his
hat, but in a few moments dropped to
the oars, and himself rowed like all
possessed" for the cheering suddenly
ceased, and he had seen a group gath
cred by Gordon's boat, and something
heavy and helpless lifted out of it. At
the pier he learned that Gordon with
his last stroke had fallen backward in a
swoon. He had been taken to Judge
Morris's house (close by on the lake
shore), and DR.. Goldsby had been sent
for.
The group Of excited takers grad
ually separated into twos and threes
and disappeared, leaving behind them
strange stiffness under the blue sky,
deepened by the gentle. lonely wash Of
the water on the shore and the song of
distant bird.
In the evening Gordon was taken
home. The next morning, very early,
Charlie was at the door. He came away
with slow step and dropping head.
"Say! s he any better in there-that
Teller at got sick It the racer" called a
small boy who was running by.
"Get out!' said Charley, roughly.
Then he went after the boy and gave
him handful of peanuts with bright
penny among them. What he had heard
was not encouraging.
Later in the morning Mr.. Sterling.
the principal Of the high school, met
Dr. Goldsby, and stopped him, to in
quire tenderly and anxiously about his
pupil. DR.. Goldsby was cross. He
was always cross when he had "bad
case" and the condition of his patients
was accurately indicated by the rise
and fall Of his suavity. After few mo-
ments' talk, Mr.. Sterling said: II
feared there was danger; but what
sudden and singular prostration! What
can be the cause of itp"
"Humph! The causep Tobacco!'
replied the doctor, savagely, bringing
his cane down upon the sidewalk with
great thump, and glaring at Mr.. Ster-
ling.
Tobacco! tobaccoP" repeated Mr.
Sterling. "Why-how i was not
aware"
20, of course you were not 'aware'
Who ever is aware of mischief until it
is donep But rather think I would
know it il there were twenty five boys
in my school who were smoking, led by
the example of one. The fact is, sir,
boys all over our country arc learning,
almost before they are out of petticoats,
and long before they are out Of short
trousers, habit that makes them
sickly, idle, useless and dissolutc young
mcn-dissolute, sir; for ! have never
known, in all my practice, a drinking
young man who was not user of to-
bacco first. Some can stand tobacco
better than others, but / have yet to
find one system whose action Is not
rendered absolutely vicious by it. To
some organizations. strong, yet sensi-
tive-fne organizations like this young
neutrality-suspicious. the con-
stitution all upv'
The doctors emphasis was terrific.
"Poor Dick must be very low" thought
Mr.. Sterling. Then he said aloud: II
know that tobacco is injurious, doctor;
and regret its prevalent use. I" (col-
oring)-I sometimes smoke cigar
myself"
"Then the sooner you stop smoking
a cigar yourself" growled the doctor,
1.-THE better for you and for others
through your example, SIR"
Mr.. Sterling colored more deeply; but
he was very honest man. "You mean
well, DOCTOR" said he, land will
stop"
"Welf, you mean well, too" returned
the doctor, with his low smile, and they
parted very amicably.
Four months before Gordon could be